the decameron(十日谈)-第217章
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proved the occasion of begetting intire love and friendship；
betweene himselfe and the Noble Lord Ansaldo。
Now concerning the skilfull Magitian； to whom Ansaldo meant to
give the bountifull recompence agreed on betweene them； hee having
seene the strange liberality； which the husband expressed to Signior
Ansaldo； and that of Ansaldo to the Lady； hee presently saide。 Great
jupiter strike me dead with thunder； having my selfe seene a husband
so liberall of his honour； and you Sir of true noble kindnesse； if I
should not be the like of my recompence： for； perceiving it to be so
worthily imployed； I am well contented that you shal keepe it。 The
Noble Lord was modestly ashamed； and strove （so much as in him lay）
that he should take all； or the greater part thereof： but seeing he
laboured meerly in vaine； after the third day was past； and the
Magitian had destroyed the Garden againe； hee gave him free liberty to
depart； quite controlling all fond and unchaste affection in himselfe；
either towards Dianora； or any Lady else； and living （ever after） as
best becommeth any Nobleman to do。
What say you now Ladies？ Shal wee make any account of the woman
wel…neere dead； and the kindnesse growne cold in Signiour Gentile；
by losse of his former hopes； comparing them with the liberality of
Signior Ansaldo； affecting more fervently； then ever the other did？
And being （beyond hope） possessed of the booty； which （above all
things else in the world） he most desired to have； to part with it
meerly in fond compassion？ I protest （in my judgement） the one is no
way comparable to the other； that of Geitile； with this last of
Signior Ansaldo。
THE TENTH DAY； THE SIXT NOVELL
SUFFICIENTLY DECLARING； THAT HOW MIGHTY SOEVER THE POWER OF
LOVE IS： YET A MAGNANIMOUS AND TRULY GENEROUS HEART； IT CAN
BY NO MEANES FULLY CONQUER
Victioious King Chrles； sirnamed the Aged； and first of that Name；
fell in love with a yong Maiden； named Genevera； daughter to an
ancient Knight； called Signior Neri degli Uberti。 And waxing ashamed
of his amorous folly； caused both Genevera； and her fayre Sister
Isotta； to be joyned in marriage with two Noble Gentlemen； the one
named Signior Maffeo da Palizzi； and the other； Signior Gulielmo della
Magna。
Who is able to expresse ingeniously； the diversity of opinions；
which hapned among the Ladies； in censuring on the act of Madame
Dianora； and which of them was most liberall； eithet Signior
Gilberto the Husband； Lord Ansaldo the importunate suiter； or the
Magitian； expecting to bee bountifully rewarded。 Surely； it is a
matter beyond my capacity： but after the King had permitted their
disputation a long while； looking on Madam Fiammetta； he commanded
that she should report her Novel to make an end of their controversie；
and she （without any further delaying） thus began。 I did alwaies
（Noble Ladies） hold it fit and decent； that in such an assembly as
this of ours is； every one ought to speake so succinctly and
plainly： that the obscure understanding； concerning the matters spoken
of； should have no cause of disputation。 For disputes do much better
become the Colledges of Schollers； then to be among us； who hardly can
manage our Distaves or Samplers。 And therefore I； who intend to relate
something； which （peradventure） might appeare doubtfull： will forbeare
（seeing you in such a difference； for that which hath bin spoken
alreadie） to use any difficult discourse； but will speake of one； a
man of no meane ranke or quality； being both a valiant and vertuous
King； and what he did； without any impeach or blemish to his honor。
I make no doubt； but you have often heard report； of king Charls the
Aged； and first of that name； by reason of his magnificent
enterprises； as also his most glorious victory； which he obtaind
against King Manfred； when the Ghibellines were expulsed foorth of
Florence； and the Guelphes returned thither againe。 By which occasion；
an ancient knight； named Signior Neri degli Uberti； forsaking then the
City； with all his family and great store of wealth； woulde live under
any other obedience； then the awful power or command of King
Charles。 And coveting to be in some solitary place； where he might
finish the remainder of his dayes in peace； he went to Castello da
Mare； where； about a Bow shoote distance from all other dwelling
houses； hee bought a parcel of ground； plentifully stored with variety
of Trees； bearing Olives； Chesnuts； Orenges； Lemons； Pomcitrons； and
other excellent frutages； wherewith the Countrey flourisheth
abundantly。 There he built a very faire and commodious house； and
planted （close by it） a pleasant Garden； in the middst whereof；
because he had great plenty of water： according as other men use to
do； being in the like case so wel provided； he made a very goodly
Pond； which forthwith had all kinde of Fish swimming in it； it being
his daily care and endevour； to tend his Garden； and encrease his
Fish…pond。
It fortuned； that King Charles in the Summer time） for his
pleasure and recreation； went to repose himselfe （for some certayne
dayes） at Castello de Mare； where having heard report of the beautie
and singularitie of Signiour Neries Garden； hee grew very desirous
to see it。 But when he understoode to whome it belonged； then he
entred into consideration with himselfe； that hee was an ancient
Knight； maintaining a contrarie faction to his： wherefore； he
thought it fit to goe in some familiar manner； and with no trayne
attending on him。 Wherupon he sent him word； that he wold come to
visit him； with foure Gentlemen onely in his companie； meaning to
sup with him in his Garden the next night ensuing。 The newes was
very welcome to Signior Neri； who took order in costly maner for all
things to bee done； entertaining the King most joyfully into his
beautifull Garden。
When the King had survayed all； and the house likewise； he commended
it beyond all other comparison； and the Tables being placed by the
Ponds side； he washed his hands therin； and then sat down at the the
Count； Sir Guy de Montforte （who was one of them which came in his
company） to sitte downe by him； and Signior Neri on his other side。 As
for the other three of the traine； hee commaunded them to attend on
his service； as Signior Neri had given order。 There wanted no
exquisite Viandes and excellent Wines； all performed in most decent
manner； and without the least noise or disturbance； wherein the King
tooke no little delight。
Feeding thus in this contented manner； and fancying the solitude
of the place： sodainly entred into the garden； two yong Damosels； each
aged about some fifteene yeares； their haire resembling wyars of Gold；
and curiously curled； having Chaplets （made like provinciall
Crownes） on their heades； and their delicate faces； expressing them to
be rather Angels； then mortall creatures； such was the appearance of
their admired beauty。 Their under…garments were of costly Silke； yet
white as the finest snow； framed （from the girdle upward） close to
their bodies； but spreading largely downward； like the extendure of
a Pavillion； and so descending to the feet。 She that first came in
sight； caried on her shoulder a couple of fishing Netts； which she
held fast with her left hand； and in the right she carryed a long
staffe。 The other following her； had on her left shoulder a
Frying…pan； and under the same arme a small Faggot of woodde； with a
Trevit in her hand； and in the other hand a pot of Oyle； as also a
brand of fire flaming。
No sooner did the King behold them； but he greatly wondered what
they should be； and； without uttering one word； attended to listen
what they wold say。 Both the yong damosels； when they were come before
the King； with modest and bashfull gesture； they performed very humble
reverence to him； and going to the place of entrance into the Pond；
she who held the Trevit； set it downe on the ground； with the other
things also； and taking the staffe which the other Damosell carried：
they both went into the Pond； the water whereof reached so high as
to their bosomes。 One of the Servants to Signior Neri； presently
kindled the
